TOMORROW’S WORKSPACE – IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IN A WORKSPACE THROUGH ARCHITECTURE

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

Late Bhausaheb Hiray S.S. Trust’s

DR. BALIRAM HIRAY COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE Affiliated to University of Mumbai

DISSERTATION ON

TOMORROW’S WORKSPACE – IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IN A WORKSPACE THROUGH ARCHITECTURE

SUBMITTED BY Ms. RIDDHI SURVE

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF PROF. SHANTANU KHANDKAR

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE (2020-21)

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

CERTIFICATE It is certified that the work content in the dissertation title

TOMORROW’S WORKSPACE – IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IN A WORKSPACE THROUGH ARCHITECTURE by Ms. Riddhi Surve, has been carried out under my supervision and that this work has not been submitted elsewhere for a degree in fulfilment of requirement for Award of Bachelor of Architecture of University of Mumbai.

PROF. SHANTANU KHANDKAR (Thesis Guide) November 2020

AR. SUNIL MAGDUM (Principal) Dr. Baliram Hiray College of Architecture, Mumbai

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

DECLARATION I, Ms. Riddhi Surve a bonafide student of Bachelor of Architecture in Dr.Baliram Hiray College of Architecture, Affiliated to University of Mumbai would like to declare that the dissertation entitled

TOMORROW’S WORKSPACE – IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH IN A WORKSPACE THROUGH ARCHITECTURE submitted by me in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE is my original work. Wherever I have used materials from other sources, due credit is given to them by citing the sources. This work is free from any plagiarism and I have not misrepresented, fabricated, or falsified any idea/data/fact source in my submission.

This work or any part of it, has not been previously submitted by me or any other person for assessment for this or any other course of study.

Place: Date:

___________________ ___ Signature of the candidate Ms. Riddhi Surve

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis guide, Ar. Shantanu Khandkar sir and Principal I.C. Ar. Sunil Magdum, for providing me all the necessary facilities and guidance for the research. I would also like to thank all the other professors who have guided me at every stage of the dissertation proposal.

I would like to thank the officials who have helped me obtain the necessary permissions, information, drawings and guidance whilst doing the Case Studies.

Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and my parents – Ajitkumar Surve and Vidhya Surve for their unconditional support and encouragement through this journey.

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

CONTENTS:

1.0 SYNOPSIS.................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

1.1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 1 1.2 AIM ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................... 1 1.4 SCOPE .................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 LIMITATIONS ....................................................................................................... 2 1.6 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 2 1.6.1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .............................................................................. 3 1.7 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 3 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 4 2.1 The need to enhance the work environment ........................................................... 4 2.2 The evolution of offices .......................................................................................... 4 b.

Open plan office ................................................................................................. 4

d.

Burolandschaft ................................................................................................... 4

e.

The Action Office .............................................................................................. 4

f.

The Cubicle Farm ............................................................................................... 5

2.3 The choice of materials in an office ........................................................................ 5 2.4 Light and Ventilation .............................................................................................. 6 2.5 Indirect and direct effects of colours on the brain ................................................... 6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 6 3.0 CASE STUDIES – 3.1 Mercado Libre Office – Buenos Aires ................................. 8 3.2 – Kientruc Office – Vietnam ................................................................................. 12 3.3 – The Edge – Amsterdam ...................................................................................... 15 3.4 – Googleplex – California ..................................................................................... 18

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

4.0 SITE ANALYSIS: .................................................................................................... 23 5.0 DESIGN BRIEF ....................................................................................................... 27 6.0 AREA STATEMENT ............................................................................................... 28 7.0 APPENDICES – Google forms Questionnaires ....................................................... 31

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

1.0 SYNOPSIS 1.1 INTRODUCTION The impact a workplace has on one’s mental health is directly proportional to the time one spends in an office (Christina Bodin Danielsson, June 2010). On an average a wide range of youth and middle-aged people spend around 8 hours of the day in their workplace, carrying a huge amount of workload and stress throughout.

The feeling of comfort in the office spaces is necessary to achieve high working efficiency. Studies say that achieving comfort in any office space depends on its psychological aspects (Suratin, 1998). Some studies proved that working at home might increase motivation, relieve stress, and increase employee comfort (Suratin, 1998).

Influenced by industrial revolution and by the mass production system, initially the workplaces were designed seeking the same efficiency of the industries production line. The layout of offices aimed mainly to facilitate the company’s production system, focusing on improving the quantity produced, and not considering the state of mind and comfort of the working staff (M. A. Elmahadi, 2011). However, opposite to factories that operate essentially based on machines, offices operate based on people. The way a space is designed affects the mood because we see, sense and feel the design.

1.2 AIM a. To design a workplace which helps the user to be more productive, comfortable and rejuvenate with the help of architecture, materials and colours. b. To create a comfortable environment in the workspace to enhance the work efficiency and productivity.

1.3 OBJECTIVES a. To study the existing workspaces and understand the factors causing stress b. To study the effects of colours on one's mental health c. To study biophilic design and its impact on the end user d. To research and find methods to provide efficient natural lighting and ventilation systems in the building e. To understand the segregation of private, semi-private and public spaces within a workspace f.

Understanding how workspace design significantly affects human behaviour

g. To thoroughly study the requirements and functioning of a workspace 1

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

h. To analyse the effect of the current pandemic on tomorrow’s workspaces and incorporate them in the design

1.4 SCOPE a. Focusing on creating spaces affecting positive mind set in a workplace b. Focusing on the spatial qualities of the structure, its immediate surroundings, the working environment, and interactions within it c. Selecting a site considering the office location and amenities d. Creating zones for thought stimulations e. Creating the sense of attachment and comfort to the space f.

Creating spaces which would increase interaction between two teams

g. Focusing on creating a self-sustaining built environment which would improve mental health and wellbeing of the user h. To create a sense of connection with the outside environment i.

To study certain design changes, selecting materials to be used in the space and choosing the right colours for a space which can help reduce the stress and increase the productivity in the space

j.

Understanding the need for climate responsive architectural solutions in the form of innovative building design technology or alternative practices which take into account their environmental impact as well

1.5 LIMITATIONS a. The research would rely on the available data regarding psychological and mental effects (materials, volumes, colours etc.) on an individual. b. The research is limited to an architectural scale where the indoor and outdoor spaces are studied. c. The funding and costing of the project is not dealt with. d. Relying on the data available for the study. e. Data obtained is confined to the available internet case studies and research material as physical field survey is not possible in the current situation.

1.6 METHODOLOGY a. History of workspaces - Understanding the evolution of workstations into offices and further into commercial hubs b. Literature study of workspace stress - Understanding the current need and importance of the project

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

c. Online interviews and surveys - Questionnaires with office going people regarding office working layouts and methods to improve comfort d. Internet case study analysis of the effect of materials and colours on human brain - To understand the designing aspects and areas that have to be taken into consideration while designing such structures. e. Debates and professional analysis on workspaces f.

Referring books, pdfs, and standards - To understand general standards, rules and regulations for the designing of office buildings and hubs

1.6.1 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1. How can a space increase interaction between two teams?

2. How to make a sense of attachment with the workspace?

3. How do flexible workstations work?

4. How to implement biophilic materials?

5. How biophilic elements affect the employees?

6. What are the basic requirements of an office space?

7. How is the circulation within an office space?

8. What does volume of a space affect the mind?

9. Can textures and volumes create positive or negative thoughts?

10. How to provide efficient natural lighting, ventilation, passive cooling?

11. How to segregate open and closed spaces?

12. How do colours affect the working areas?

13. Which zone should have which colour scheme?

14. How to use colours according to different zones?

1.7 CONCLUSION Architecture and environment play a noticeable role in reducing the stress and increasing the productivity in a workplace. Most workers come to work for a certain time and go home wanting to be disconnected from work. This cycle affects the state of mind of an individual (Clements-Croome, May 2015). Hence it is necessary to consider and try to improve the mental health of an individual in an office.

The project will address the topic of how mental health can be improved in a work environment and ask the question of “what is a workplace” and how can it connect to human health, behaviour, social life and happiness. The current pandemic will also affect the layout and design of tomorrow’s workplaces. All the mentioned factors are to be considered in the design.

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 The need to enhance the work environment Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg calls one's "first place" the home and those that one lives with. The "second place" is the workplace - where people may spend most of their time.

Third places are "anchors" of community life and facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction. In other words, "your third place is where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances.”(Oldenburg, 1989). The need for these three separate “places” defines how human environments are unknowingly designed. Although due to the schedule an office going person follows, the time spent in the “third place” is drastically reducing.

Hence the need of combining the “second place” and the “third place” arises.

Mental concentration is vital for good work performance. Absolute alertness and attention are essential if one is to concentrate (Clements-Croome, May 2015). There is still a large amount of offices which use the traditional cubical and the generic open office plan which lacks to provide the necessary privacy within an office (Christina Bodin Danielsson, June 2010). Whereas a design with more informal spaces, social interaction activity areas, that help create an office promote creativity, collaboration, sharing of knowledge, team building and relaxation.

2.2 The evolution of offices The first offices originated in ancient Rome as spaces where official work was conducted, and that similar spaces existed in some form throughout the ages. However, it was not until the 18th century that dedicated office buildings began to be created. a. Open plan office - The earliest modern offices were remarkable for their scientific approach and emphasised efficiency and the adoption of a rigid, regimented office layout that resulted in workers sat at endless rows of desks with managers located in encircling offices where they could observe. b. Evolution of open plan office - As skyscrapers and other large commercial buildings were developed, the workplace altered to become a spacious space where there was a mix of private offices and open plan workstations, complete with typewriters, and in some cases a dedicated staff kitchen or canteen. c. Burolandschaft - More socially democratic layout which consequently encouraged a great degree of human interaction and engagement. An originally German concept, which translates to ‘office landscape’, and after becoming popular in northern Europe, began to spread around the world. d. The Action Office - Included a variety of alternate work settings for staff, increased freedom of movement and a greater degree of privacy when working. The influence on 4

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

office design was twofold with increased space required for rows of modular furniture that provided staff with privacy and flexibility to work in a position suitable for the task at hand. While there was an increased emphasis placed on meeting rooms, an individual’s workstation became larger and more enclosed, and though it did provide plenty of space to work, it did lead to less interaction as staff became less visible to each other.

The influx of female workers into what was traditionally a male dominated workplace in the 1960’s also led to subtle changes in how the workplace was designed. The office now required a greater level of privacy, and many female workers now demanded a ‘modesty board’, which was simply a plywood section that covered the front of a desk, and critically their legs. In fact, the Observer ran an article entitled ‘Would you let your daughter work in an open plan office?’ as lately as 1968. e. The Cubicle Farm - The availability of cheap, but effective modular walls alongside an increased focus on profitability at the expense of working conditions are seen as the key factors behind the complete shift in office design, suffered throughout the 1980’s.

(The History of Office Design, n.d.)

2.3 The choice of materials in an office Materials create a bond between users and the building. Using naturally available materials in a workspace creates a sense of attachment and comfort which in turn reduces stress and induce productivity (Hidalgo, October 2014). Green materials tend to contain less harmful chemicals than standard materials, making office air purer and healthier for the body (Usman Aminu Umar, 2012). Eco-friendly and sustainable materials create the sense of openness and attachment with the space.

The Biophilic design hypothesis posits that there is an instinctive relationship between humans and a natural ecosystem, a natural attachment to nature (Usman Aminu Umar, 2012). The concept aims to make use of natural elements in architectural and environmental design. The “biophilia effect” describes any several positive impacts experienced when this liking is evoked through a sensory experience of nature: sight, sound, smell, or feel (Usman Aminu Umar, 2012).

Exposure to nature or its elements can cause several beneficial effects, including but not limited to better learning rates, lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and faster healing (Hidalgo, October 2014). With architecture, the biophilia effect spans a broad range of elements that include positive personal responses to daylighting, views of nature, use of patterns, and use of natural materials (Usman Aminu Umar, 2012).

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

2.4 Light and Ventilation Occupants in day lit and full-spectrum office buildings reported an increase in general well-being (BELAKEHAL, 2017). Absence or excess of light in an office causes stress due to eyestrain or glare, respectively. Many inconveniences can be caused by inappropriate lighting, as it is both psychological and physiological inducer and therefore each space needs to be provided with suitable lighting that matches its function (Torcellini, July 2002).

Eyestrain is related to the spectrum of light present in a workspace and the ability of the eye to refocus. The proper integration and management of daylighting in an office building provides the best spectrum of light for the eye. When the eye is not allowed to refocus to different distances over long periods of time, the dilating muscles are conditioned to a limited range of perspective, promoting near or far sightedness. Eyestrain is diminished with landscape views through windows because the combination of short- and long-range views allows the eye to refocus (Torcellini, July 2002). To reduce the strain and stress in the workplace adequate lighting needs to be taken care of.

2.5 Indirect and direct effects of colours on the brain Colours unknowingly play a particularly important role in our day to day life (NISREEN HUSAINA, July 2018). We think about colours while getting dressed for work or follow the standard coloured traffic lights while travelling. Our memories are filled with colour, and we recognize some of the biggest brands through colour.

Each space feels differently, colours help control the effect of the space, positively as well as negatively. Colours can improve one’s experience in a space, positively affecting concentration, stress levels, and mood (NISREEN HUSAINA, July 2018). However, only a coat of paint will not achieve these objectives by itself, it is the combination of colour, lighting, and other architectural features that can make a space more comfortable and stress-free.

According to colour therapist, every organ system has its own vibration energy, and diseases can occur when this energy is lessened. By applying the same vibration energy, the disease can be cured. The principle colours used as ‘Vibration energy’ are mainly Blue, Yellow and Red (NISREEN HUSAINA, July 2018).

REFERENCES BELAKEHAL, A. T. (2017). Natural versus artificial lighting use in an office building under clear sunny skies. In Proceedings of the 33rd passive low energy architecture international conference (PLEA 2017): design to thrive.

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

Christina Bodin Danielsson, L. B. (June 2010). Office Design’s Influence on Employees’ Stress Levels. International Conference on Architectural Research. Washington DC, USA: ARCC/EAAE. Clements-Croome, D. J. (May 2015). Creative and productive workplaces: a review. Intelligent Buildings International , 7(4):1-20.

Hidalgo, A. K. (October 2014). Biophilic Design, Restorative Environments and Well-Being.

Colors of Care: The 9th International Conference on Design & Emotion. Bogota Colombia.

M. A. Elmahadi, M. M. (2011). Effective Office Environment Architecture: Finding Ingenious Ideas in a Home to Stimulate the Office. The 2nd International Building Control Conference (pp. 380 – 388). Procedia Engineering 20.

NISREEN HUSAINA, D. K. (July 2018). HEALING AND THERAPY WITH COLORS. Indian Journal of Scientific Research, 09 (1): 31-32.

Oldenburg, R. (1989). The Great Good Place. New York: Da Capo Press.

Suratin, S. &. (1998). Industrial Management & Data Systems. The new generation office environment: the home office.

The History of Office Design. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/history-ofoffice-design/ Torcellini, L. E. (July 2002). A Literature Review of the Effects of Natural Light on Building Occupants. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Usman Aminu Umar, M. F. (2012). SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIAL FOR GREEN BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION,

CONSERVATION

AND

REFURBISHING.

Management in Construction Research Association (MiCRA).

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

3.0 CASE STUDIES – 3.1 Mercado Libre Office – Buenos Aires

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

3.2 – Kientruc Office – Vietnam

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

3.3 – The Edge – Amsterdam

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

3.4 – Googleplex – California

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

4.0 SITE ANALYSIS:

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

5.0 DESIGN BRIEF LEVEL 1

At Master Planning Level:

• Pedestrian plaza - A good pedestrian plaza breathes new life into an area, and can serve as a gathering place for both civic and social matters.

• A central plaza or square serves a critical role in an urban area’s overall vibe.

• Hardscape/Landscape • Seating • Trees and Plants • Lighting • Plaza/Street Paving Materials • Relationship with the buildings • Promote Walk to Work culture - The concept of new urbanism and walk-to-work is gaining momentum in major cities. The concept of new urbanism inspires developments such as housing, workplace, and shopping in the vicinity of each other, and walkable streets and blocks and reachable public spaces play a vital part in such developments • Breathing spaces and Breakout zones between the commertial zone • Reducing stress while reaching the workspace

LEVEL 2

At Individual Building Level:

•Connectivity between indoor - outdoor spaces

LEVEL 3

At Design Level:

•Biomorphic forms and Patterns - Biomorphic is one of the themes in the architectural approach that has a principle concern for the environment (nature), in which this approach was born from the idea of the importance of nature and oriented to the environment, including climate.

•The shape, material, structure and mechanisms in the universe, can be used as the basic idea formed in the design of architecture through a process of collaboration between humans and nature itself.

•Effect of the volume of space •Difference between natural and mechanical ventilation

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

6.0 AREA STATEMENT Sr.

ASSIGNED AREA

CAPACITY

AREA

(pax)

(SQ. M)

no.

NO.

NOTES

A. CORPORATE OFFICES 1.

Small corporate

50

500

04

2.

Medium corporate

75

750

04

3.

Large corporate

85

1200

04

B. SHARED CO-WORKING OFFICE (WORK CLUSTER) 1.

Smaller module

1-3 workstations

3000

2.

Medium module

5-10

3000

workstations 3.

Large module

4.

Toilet block

10+ workstations

3000

C. DINING FACILITIES 1.

Restaurant

200

480

2.

Food Court

100

240

3.

Central Kitchen

170

4.

Catering Prep/Staging Area

50

5.

Receiving/Unloading Area

40

6.

Cold, Dry storage

40

7.

Garbage Room/Area

40

8.

Kitchen Staff Toilet block

55

D. COMMON AMENITIES 1.

Meeting and conference rooms a. Large conference rooms/

1000

02

b. Small meeting rooms

500

02

c. Brainstorming rooms

200

02

d. Videoconferencing rooms

200

02

50

01

Presentation rooms

2.

Wellness room

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

3.

Webinar and recording

100

01

room 4.

Fitness area

400

01

5.

Locker room and

150

01

500

01

showers 6.

Indoor games room

7.

Semi-open breakout spaces

8.

Toilet block

9.

Seminar hall

200

01

10.

Day-care

200

01

Auditorium

250

01

11.

E. ADMIN AREA 1.

Entrance foyer

2.

Waiting area

3.

Estate manager

15

01

4.

Accounts, clerk’s office

25

01

5.

Storeroom

25

02

6.

Small conference room

50

01

7.

Server room

25

8.

Staff resting area

40

9.

CCTV room

25

10.

Pantry

40

11.

Staff toilet/changing rooms

12.

BMS room

01

40

F. MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION 1.

Security cabins

25

2.

Security office

30

3.

Landscape & Grounds

25

Maintenance Equipment 4.

Staff Lunchroom

50

5.

Staff Lockers

40

6.

AHU rooms

30 29

Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

G. UNASSIGNED AREAS 1.

Lobbies

2.

Partitions, Staircases, Lifts, Elevators, Shafts etc.

3.

Mechanical/Electrical/ Plumbing (Services room)

H. MEDICAL ROOM I.

ATM

J. PARKING

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

7.0 APPENDICES – Google forms Questionnaires

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Tomorrow’s workspace – Improving Mental health in a workspace through Architecture

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